Power is electrified
Since 2014, the all-electric FORMULA E championship takes place, with thrilling action unfolding from the start. As the inaugural event came to its conclusion, before the final corner, Nick Heidfeld drammatically collided with Nicolas Prost, then P1, which ended in an airborne incident. Both remained unharmed, but this paved the way for Lucas Di Grassi to take the top step of the podium. The Brazilian has been a key figure in developing the sport from day one. His contribute as a test driver marked the beginnig of a new spectrum of motorsport. It immediately stood out for the versatile conditions and diverse race winners. In fact, consecutive wins are a rarity and merely two drivers have won three races in a row. This pattern applies to championship titles as well. Just Jean-Éric Vergne secured back-to-back glory to date. The all-time winners list is now led by Mitch Evans, currently at the top of this year's drivers' standings.
Who will finsih?
The 2021 VALENCIA E-PRIX set the stage for a bizarre final lap. The third of the season took place on a permanent circuit, a premiere for the sport. Beginning Race 1, on a wet track, Reigning WORLD CHAMPION António Félix da Costa started off from pole and firmly kept the lead, until the final Safety Car came out, five minutes before the flag fell. Accidents had sequentially eliminated compeitors, but something else took out eight competitors at once then. According to the regulations in force, as the SC-period ends, energy is reduced. No problem, as long it is kept under control. What happened next is that da Costa crossed the line with nine seconds left on the Clock, meaning two laps remained. However... the energy reduction took half the teams by surprise and none of them would make it around. Nyck de Vries and his Mercedes squad had calculated everything correctly, facing no issues. With minor exceptions, all other cars cruised home, but the story did not end there.
History and present
The energy reductions did simply lessen the amount of permitted energy, not eliminating it physically. Five drivers overshoot the Limit and where thus disqualified, including da Costa, who saw victory fade away. De Vries won, ahead Nico Müller and the fellow Mercedes of Stoffel Vandoorne. Moreover, the 2020-2021 season eventually set three new records. Firstly, the WORLD CHAMPION, Nyck de Vries, scored less than 100 points over the season. Next, before the final round of the closing E-PRIX, thirteen drivers could still clinch the title! Finally, 20 out of 24 competitor stood on the rostrum over the course of the year. Remarkable statistics describe a competition that, albeit not enabling yet to push every second on the track, grew and established itself as top motor racing.